Messahel, Alfano examine state of bilateral relations, prospects of their strengthening

July 13th, 2017

APS : Tuesday, 11 July 2017

ALGIERS-The Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelkader Messahel held, as part of his visit to Rome (Italy), a meeting with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano, in which the two sides examined the state of bilateral relations and the prospects of their strengthening, said Tuesday, the ministry in a communiqué.
In this meeting, which is part of the “regular” consultation between the two countries bound by a friendship, good neighbouring and cooperation treaty, the two ministers examined “the state of bilateral relations in many sectors and the prospects of their strengthening,” said the source, adding that the two sides welcomed, in this regard, the “quality” of political dialogue between the two countries as well as the “high level” of bilateral cooperation, “Italy being one of Algeria’s most important partners, and for which it is the first client and the third supplier.”
The two ministers broached the “important” deadlines on the bilateral agenda, particularly the upcoming holding, in Algeria, the 4th High Level meeting chaired by the Prime Ministers of both countries. They also highlighted “the importance” of strategic and security dialogue “which is an important consultation mechanism that Algeria initiated with many partners, including Italy, in view of strengthening cooperation and coordination on strategic and security issues,” said the source.
Messahel and his Italian counterpart proceeded to a “large” exchange on regional and international issues of common interest, particularly the situation in the Sahel, Mali, and Libya, as well as the fight against terrorism and violent extremism and the Algerian experience in deradicalization.
For his part, Alfanso expressed his country’s “appreciation” for Algeria’s “contribution and the role it played for the preservation of security and stability in the region.”